Clearly Texas can make a case for being one of, if not, the best teams in the country after soundly beating Missouri in Columbia on Saturday.

Yet, despite an epic battle with a rebuilding Tennessee team-that required Mt. Cody to Block two field goals with his face mask-and another Florida win, that may have been at least aided by the wild herd of Zebra that has been menacing big-game Gator hunters for the last four weeks, the Tide and fighting Tebows remained unbeaten.

Any of three could be ranked no.1 or no.2 or no.3 but then it gets a little murky. If we are ranking based on body of work or who is playing the best right now or who looks the prettiest in uniform we come up with many different answers.

The Czar, however, chooses to focus on what is important; who is in control of their own destiny and that takes us right to the War Zone in the SEC.

One could make the case that Iowa after surviving again this weekend, TCU for sending BYU on a mission-to find a lid for the industrial sized can of whooping the Frogs opened-and Cincinnati as well as Boise, pending the results of their Luau in Hawaii are still in control of their destiny. Yet, when it is all said and done Texas and an undefeated or even single loss SEC team would likely go ahead of any of them.

So what’s happening in the SEC War Zone?

No. 1 Florida 7-0 (5-0 SEC) @ Mississippi State 3-5 (1-3 SEC)

Is it just me or is Florida a two trick pony?

Trick one-one heck of a defensive unit. Trick two-Tim Tebow.

Not Tim Tebow of Heisman fame mind you, surely he’s not still in contention, but the somewhat mortal and really needing some help version.

Since the running game isn’t providing the help and their really doesn’t seem to be any wide receivers capable of coming to his aid the officials have had to provide the assistance.

In the last four games the officials are 4-0 and coincidentally so are the Gators!

Florida 29 – MSU 19 (But it was much more competitive than the score would suggest.)

Outlook: The Gators have a rough road ahead with the Cocktail party looming and South Carolina on the road before finishing up with FIU and FSU at the Swamp.

They will be tested and cannot continue to rely on bad officiating to get by but with a two game cushion Florida should be the East representative in Atlanta.

Tennessee 3-4 (1-3 SEC) @ No. 2 Alabama 8-0 (5-0 SEC)

Alabama’s offense continues to struggle against stout defenses even as sophomore RB Mark Ingram rushes his way past 1000 yards on the season and perhaps takes another step toward etching his name on the Heisman trophy.

In the end, the Tide needed Tennessee to miss a FG and have two more blocked to escape the upset bid before a much needed bye week.

Alabama 12 – Tennessee 10

Outlook: The Bye week couldn’t come at a better time for Nick Saban and the Alabama offense. Nick Saban said they were tired and just need a little rest.

From what we saw in Death Valley on Saturday Night, the extra week to prepare for Saban Bowl III might just come in handy.

Despite road games @ MSU and Auburn down the road LSU seems to be the only threat to Alabama’s bid to return to Atlanta.

An 11-1 regular season and Sugar Bowl berth might seem like a let-down to some of the Bama faithful but they’ll have a little time to get used to it.

Auburn 5-3 (2-3 SEC) @ No. 9 LSU 6-1 (4-1 SEC)

Things can get a little crazy when the big Cats of the SEC hook up. This time Jordan Jefferson answered the ‘crazy’ fans calling for him to be benched in favor of back up Jarred Lee.

Lee did see some action after Jefferson’s career performance put the game out of reach.

On the other side of the ball the Bayou Bengals defense was spectacular and continues to improve each week under first year coordinator John Chavis.

With one of the best performances of the year by LSU’s defensive front four Auburn QB Chris Todd found himself under pressure constantly and was unable to rely on a usually potent running attack.

LSU held the no. 8 (nationally) offense to less than half of its season average with only 193 total yards and its lowest point production of the season.

This one was all LSU all the time.

LSU 31 – Auburn 10

Outlook: LSU is peaking at the right time; with a home game against drastically over matched Tulane next Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium to prepare for what could be the game of the year on Nov. 7th in Tuscaloosa and Ole Miss the only road games remaining the Bayou Bengals are not out of the national title hunt by any stretch of the imagination.

There is a long way to go and Saban Bowl III is a tall order but don’t sleep on the Mad Hatter, he just might have a little more magic under the brim!

National Outlook:

No doubt Texas, USC, Iowa, Boise State, TCU, Cincinatti and others will still have their say and of course this is college football with about five weeks to play so anything and everything can happen.

Yet, it is hard to argue with the strength of the SEC as the only major conference with two unbeaten teams, three in the top ten and all three still control their own destiny for the BCS.

That being said, Texas looks to be firmly in control of their fate and would provide a sensational matchup for any of the SEC’s big three assuming they survive the conference with no more than one loss.

The Czar’s Destiny Dime (Top-Ten based on their destiny assuming they win out)

1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Florida
4. LSU
5. Iowa
6. Boise
7. USC
8. Oregon
9. TCU
T10. Cincinnati / Georgia Tech

By Henry Ball (a.k.a. Southern Man – CFB Czar) Featured Columnist and Syndicated Writer

Henry contributes to the Bleacher Report, College Gameday Network and other Sports Media outlets.

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It has not been easy and it most certainly hasn’t been pretty, which is not necessarily a bad thing when you think about where the LSU Tigers are after four weeks of play.

With today’s 30-26 win in Starkville, Miss., LSU improves its record to 4-0 (2-0 SEC).

Like the first three games, vs. Washington, Vanderbilt and UL-Lafayette, it wasn’t easy.

First-year head coach Dan Mullen inspired his Bulldogs to get off the porch and run with the Tigers. Sr. RB Anthony Dixon led the way with 106 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns.

Overall, the offense was able to put up 374 total yard with three touchdowns. Sr. QB Tyson Lee was able to shake off three interceptions and lead a comeback that culminated in their final drive that found the Bulldogs inside the two-yard line with first and goal and just a little over a minute on the game clock and down by only six.

Getting to that point may have been ugly in the eyes of some LSU Tiger fans, but the ensuing four plays were anything but.

On third and ten from LSU’s 20 yard line, Dixon broke several tackles to rush for 18 yards before being pushed out of bounds by Chris Hawkins at the two.

After being stuffed on first and second down, the Bull Dogs lined up in a power I and looked intent to try to force it in on all four downs, if necessary.

When Lee took the snap and faked the hand-off, TE Marcus Green slipped off his block and was seemingly wide open for the winning touchdown. S Chad Jones, the Tigers MVP, did not bite on the fake and made a spectacular play, knocking down the pass.

The touchdown saving play set up fourth and goal from the one for all the marbles. Lee faked an option pitch to Dixon and attempted to slide into the end zone.

Again, the Tigers stopped him cold and LSU took over at their own one-yard line.

The loss drops MSU to 2-2 (1-1 SEC) and leaves the Dogs on the bottom looking up in one of the toughest divisions in the country.

On the other hand, No. 7 LSU remains undefeated, is battle tested and is staring at what could be the defining stretch of their season with four of the next five at No. 21 Georgia, No. 1 Florida, and currently unbeaten Auburn in Baton Rouge before traveling to Tuscaloosa for a wild (SEC) west showdown with No. 3 Alabama.

Tiger fans across the country – including the 30-plus at Providence Road Sundries in Charlotte, N.C., where your humble correspondent took in the game with the Carolina LSU Alumni Association – were left with as many questions as were answered.

So. QB Jordan Jefferson (15-28 233 yards, two tds) was spectacular early, connecting with receivers Brandon Lafell, R.J.Jackson and Terrance Tolliver for deep strikes of 58, 40 and 39 respectively, answering the question: can he throw the ball effectively?

At the same time, questions abound in the trenches, particularly on the offensive side. Jefferson, typically hard to corral, was sacked twice and hurried on countless plays.

Perhaps more disconcerting was the inability to open holes for the talented backfield. The Tigers were only able to net 30 yards on the ground.

On the defensive side MSU was able to move the ball effectively at times, but the Tigers forced four turnovers and turned MSU back four times on fourth down including the aforementioned game-saving goal-line stand.

Additionally, special teams play was mixed. Chad Jones’ 93 yard punt return for a touchdown highlighted a strong night for the return team.

On the other hand, a third snap in four games, deep in their own territory, sailed over punter Derek Helton’s head setting up a one yard touchdown drive for the Bulldogs.

There was also a missed extra point due to a bad snap-hold transition after Patrick Peterson’s interception touchdown on the first play of the game.

At the end of the day, (the dreary, wet, mushy, rainy day) it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t easy, it may not have even been fun but like the not-so pretty king of the hard way, Al Davis, likes to say, “Just win, Baby!”

The Tigers keep doing that and that’s the bottom line.

Initially published on the Bleacher Report:

By Henry Ball (a.k.a. Southern Man) Syndicated Writer

The scrimmage, the third of camp, had the Tigers tackling for the first portion of the workout before going to thud (no tackling to the ground) for the second half of the scrimmage. The scrimmage featured the 1s going against the 2s on both offense and defense. LSU also spent time going over all phases of special teams during the scrimmage.

“We had approximately 130 plays and really hit every situation that we needed to hit,” LSU coach Les Miles said of the scrimmage. “We tackled for half the scrimmage and touched off thereafter. I really felt like it was a very good go.

“I feel like our team’s coming. The offense answered the call. I think the defense had been ahead, and I think the offense really came to play today.”

Offensively, sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson had his best scrimmage statistically, going 11-of-14 for 150 yards and one touchdown. Jefferson connected with Brandon LaFell on a 15-yard scoring play as well as a 40-yard gain during the scrimmage.

Freshman Russell Shepard connected on 3-of-4 passes for 73 yards and he led all rushers with 60 yards on six carries. Jarrett Lee was 6-of-12 for 50 yards, while Chris Garrett was 4-of-5 for 21 yards.

Joining Shepard as rushing leaders for the Tigers were Keiland Williams with 40 yards on nine carries; Charles Scott 30 yards on six attempts; Richard Murphy 30 yards on five carries and Trindon Holliday with 30 yards on six attempts.

LaFell led all receivers with 74 yards on five receptions, while Rueben Randle had four catches for 34 yards. Terrance Toliver had three catches for 38 yards and R.J. Jackson two receptions for 60 yards, including a long of 53 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Perry Riley came up big for the Tigers, recording five tackles, including a pair of sacks. Defensive end Chase Clement chipped in with five tackles and a sack, while linebacker Harry Coleman added four tackles, which included a sack and another tackle for a loss.

There were no turnovers during the scrimmage.

The Tigers capped with scrimmage with kicker Josh Jasper connecting on a 44-yard field goal to close out camp.

“The guys have made some real improvement,” Miles said of his team. “Any time you go into a period of time where you have to mature your team, to me, it’s improvement that must take place.

“I think the team has practiced awfully hard in this camp, and I think across the board and individually, there is a lot of improvement.”

The Tigers will take tomorrow off before returning to practice on Thursday afternoon in what will be the first day of preparation for the season-opener against Washington. LSU faces the Huskies at 9:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Seattle. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Source: LSUSports.net

LSU QB Jordan Jefferson

BATON ROUGE — LSU sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson is one of 33 players who have been named to watch list for the 2009 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the organization has announced.

Jefferson is one of just four quarterbacks from the Southeastern Conference on the list. He’s joined by Tim Tebow (Florida), Jevan Snead (Ole Miss) and Ryan Mallett (Arkansas). In addition, Jefferson is one of only seven sophomores who made the list.

Jefferson played in seven games, starting twice, last year as a true freshman. He was named offensive MVP of the Chick-fil-A bowl when he led the Tigers to a 38-3 win over 14th-ranked Georgia Tech. Jefferson connected on 16-of-25 passes for 142 yards and one TD in the bowl game. Jefferson’s other start came in the regular-season finale against Arkansas.

For the year, Jefferson completed 36-of-73 passes for 419 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception. He also rushed for 134 yards and a score.

The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award (The O’Brien) honors the nation’s best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. Founded in 1981, The O’Brien seeks to honor candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and character in both the athletic and academic arenas. Honorees are voted on by a national selection committee comprised of journalists, broadcasters, commentators and former winners. The O’Brien is overseen by the Davey O’Brien Foundation, which was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

Source: LSUSports.net

Greg Shaw, OL, 6′6″, 270, Miami, FL
Lavar Edwards, DE/DT, 6′4″, 275, Desire Street Academy in Baton Rouge
Patrick (Johnson) Peterson, CB, 6′1″, 175, 4.41, Pompano Beach, FL
Tyler Edwards, TE, 6′3″, 245, Ouachita of Monroe
DeAngelo Benton, WR, 6′3″, 190, Hargrave Military/Bastrop HS
Chris Tolliver, WR, 6′3″, 195, 4.5, Rayville
Chase Clement, TE/DE, 6′6″, 243, 4.7, E.D. White
Jordan Jefferson, QB, 6′4″, 215, Destrehan
Karnall Hatcher, DB, 6′2″, 185, Delray, FL
Chancey Aghayere, DE, 6′4″, 245, Garland, TX
Alex Hurst, OL, 6′6″, 315, Arlington High School, Memphis, TN
Derrick Bryant, DB, 6′0″, 183, Peachtree Ridge, GA
Kyle Prater, LB, 6′2″, 215, Kerrville, TX
Ryan Baker, LB, 6′0 1/2″, 212, 4.5 from Blountstown, FL
Tim Molton, WR, 6′3″, 185, 4.4, Destrehan
Cordian Hagans, DT, 6′5″, 290 from Northview high school in Duluth, GA
DeAngelo Peterson, ATH, 6′2-1/2″, 4.5, Desire Street Academy, Baton Rouge
Ryan St. Julien, CB, 6′1″, 175, 4.49, Catholic of New Iberia
Thomas Parsons, OL, 6′7″, 275, Spring Branch, TX
Matt Branch, TE, 6′7″, 240, Sterlington high school, Sterlington
Rocky Duplessis, S, 6’2”, 185, Belle Chase
Jhyryn Taylor, ATH, 6’1”, 200, 4.5, Franklinton
Brandon Taylor, ATH, 6’0”, 175, 4.5, Franklinton
Kellen Theriot, ATH, 6’1’1/2 228, Episocpal High school, Bellaire, TX
Clay Spencer, OL, 6′6″, 289, Parkview Baptist.
P. J. Lonergan, OL, 6′4″, 290, Rummel